What rules your Heart?

What rules your Heart?
Colossians 3:15-4:5
January 11, 2026 

     Last time we saw Paul telling the Colossians that, because Christ has done the finished work in us and made us complete in Christ, we are now called to live that out in our Christian walk. We do this by laying down the old man, and putting on the new. But that happens not in our own power, it is by the inner-working power of the Holy Spirit.

     This is a continual process as God is making you new by the renewing of your mind as you submit it to the reign of Christ.

     It is all about who, or what rules your heart. There are many things, many emotions, many idols that want to rule your heart. There are different perspectives, different mindsets, different values that want to rule your heart. What your heart follows will affect your actions, reactions and destination in life. What you sow, you reap.

     So, Paul continues to teach them on how to grow effectively. The question put before all of us is this, what or who rules your heart?

I. Let Christ Rule

          This might have become such a cliché in many people’s minds that the phrase has lost its power.  Yet, how does this work? When we say you have to surrender to God, how does that work?

          The reality is that self-preservation is one of the strongest drives there is.

Illus – Research shows that it is almost impossible for someone to by their own will drown themselves. Even if you try to do your own body harm, many times one will faint from pain as the body tries to preserve itself.

     Self-preservation to protect is a good thing. But the fleshly old nature also aims for that. And for many, to truly surrender and let Christ rule, seems like a situation where they are losing a tug of war with God. They are forced to surrender.

          When one feels threatened, there is a natural response. Fight or flight. The problem comes in when someone perceives God as an angry ruler. Then they  are always on edge. What if I make a mistake? Will I be punished? What if I struggle? Will I be rejected? What if I sin?

          If one doesn’t have the right grounding and understanding of His faithfulness and love towards us, one will never fully let your guard down, fully trust, fully surrender. This ultimately will affect your relationship with God, your response, and behavior.

          So, Paul gives a few principles, concepts, and truths that need to rule in your life.

A. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts

• A lot is said about peace in the word. It is a promised, beautiful result of our salvation. Peace with God.
• Jesus wants us to live in continual peace.

John 14:27, Peace I leave with you.

• But true peace is the product and result of a deep understanding of our standing and relationship with God.
• Jesus came to reveal a new relationship with God that forever changed the dynamics between us and God.
• This is crucial, because it is the foundation to having peace.

Isaiah 9:6, For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; … And His name will be called … Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

• Before Jesus, God was only seen as the Almighty, Holy, separated, the ‘Far-above’ God that was unapproachable. His name was not even allowed to be spoken or written down fully.

Illus – When someone in a movie want to ‘make a deal with God’…

• Jesus radically changed that. Not only were we invited to draw near, but we were drawn into Abba, Daddy, closeness. This was so unheard of that they saw this as blasphemous.
• The revelation is that we have been brought into the family of God. He is now our Father. It is an unbreakable bond. It gives us privileges and access to God that was never possible.

Hebrews 4:16, Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

• The concept and revelation of God being our Father gives us confidence to draw near.

Illus – There is a difference between how a delivery person and my kids approach our house…

• This changed relationship brings peace. A definition of the word peace is:

Peace – the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

• Many don’t feel at peace, but the feeling of peace is the result of believing right. Believing we are accepted in the beloved (Jesus). Your Father loves you.
• This is what it means to be spiritually minded.

Rom 8:6, For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

• You do not focus on the sinful, carnal nature. That leads to death. You focus on the spiritual, renewed nature: That which Christ has done in you already.
• Look at this beautiful promise. Christ is protecting you.

Luke 11:21, When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 

• You are God’s temple. You are His possession. You are his goods. You are in peace.
• You need to believe this and take hold of this.

Romans 15:13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

B. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

• This verse contains some of the greatest insights into spiritual victory for every believer.
• God gives the riches of the treasures of wisdom and the principles for our lives through His word and those principles should guide how we live.
• Jesus said that it is abiding in His word, and thus His word abiding in us, that makes us His disciples. God sent Jesus as the Word of God; and sent with power.

Hebrews 4:12, The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit…

• God’s word is not there to condemn and chase you deeper into the darkness. Rules and condemnation make you chafe against authority.
• His word is there to convict and draw you to the light. If you are convinced and understand that God’s word is for your good, is for you, not against you, and that His word holds the treasure of life, you can be excited to have it dwell richly in. Therein is life! That is why it is important to even study the Old Testament through the lens of the new. (grace)
• But it’s not only about you. He goes on to say that we should admonish one another, meaning, warn, build up, exhort in the truth.
• We should speak over others what God has spoken over us. Speak life over others. See them as God sees them. Encourage one another. Freely you received, freely give.
• And then he says how we practically do it: With Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs. Praise and worship are part of our ministering and worshipping God, but we are also ministering to each other.

Illus – We sing songs of worship to God, ( You are worthy of it all), but also songs about the greatness  and character of God ( Great is), and songs of exhortation to one another. ( I know the lord will provide, Do it Again.)

• When we worship, we stir faith about who God is, what he has done, and what He is going to do.

Illus – A lot of the bible was memorized by song…

Appl- That is why listening to good praise and worship music and singing with strengthens your faith. It becomes foundational truths sown into your heart.

• With this as foundation, we live it out outwardly.

II. Do All in the Name of the Lord

This is a big statement. We see that His name is called out over us. His heart is to transform and change us. We live with His Spirit in us guiding and directing our lives.

God’s rule in our lives changes how we interact with people. Paul says that we have been transformed, but how will someone else know what they should do if they have not heard the truth?

So he reminds them of God’s principles for relationships and how we go about our daily life. In other words, do those things that are consistent, that are in agreement, with the name of Jesus. Our faith should impact everything we do and say.

A. Bring your relationships in agreement with Jesus

• Paul reminds them of the fundamental relationships and what God’s order is. These relationships were created to reflect God, His love, and His character. Naturally, this is what the enemy then wants to destroy and warp.
• Verse 18 – Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. This is a loaded statement in today’s culture, because it is colored by different experiences.
• We must remember that this is said in the context of all the earlier principles, and the next verse:
• Verse 19 – Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. ‘Love your wives’ speak of tender affection and being sympathetic towards them. Do not be harsh, embittered, resentful.
• Husbands and wives can more fully live this out the more they understand their completeness in Christ.
• The trap that is set by the enemy is if each one in the relationship wants to be validated by the other, looking to have their deepest needs and acceptance met by the other person.

Illus – Let’s say husband comes back from work. In his minds eye he sets up this expectation…his wife would wait at the door, beautifully dressed, table set, smiling and kissing him on the cheek, taking off his jacket. Instead, he finds her saying half distracted ‘Hi honey…” She is busy with some work that just came in on email…He feels short changed. Am I not important enough? So, he starts to drop sarcastic hints…

• This relationship between husband and wife is a beautiful synergy of love and submission, protection and encouragement.
• We should act and react from our understanding that we are complete in Christ. How would Jesus handle this? WWJD?
• But it is not a work to try and do the right thing, it is birthed from someplace else. Jesus was fully content in the fact that He is the beloved son of God. So are you.
• This principle extends to children and parents as well.

Verse 20-21, Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] AMP

• Children should respect and honor their parents, because their parents honor God. Remember, this is written to the church. This, again, assumes people living aligned with the previous principles.
• We are not as parents to just law down the hardlines of the law. The principles must not be compromised, but they must be grounded in understanding and love. The hardness of the law breaks the spirits, but direction with love builds up.

App – My kids stand under my authority as I stand under God’s. One cannot just force your will which is not in line with God’s word.

Illus – A drunk parent sending a child to get another whiskey and them cuss them out when they get back doesn’t encourage great respect in the Child.

App – Therefore, my authority in leading them is grounded in the principles of the word, and I need to ask for wisdom and be careful to lead them in line with the word.  Now sometimes they might not understand it in the moment, but one day they will value it because it is life to the soul.

B. Do your work in the name of the Lord

• This is a heavy one. Think of the implication. Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily as something done for the Lord and not for men.

Illus – There is an interesting trend of affirmation that is going around. And it starts from early toddler years when every time someone does something good, they hear “ Good Job!”      

• Everyone loves words of affirmation and to hear, good job!’ And it is good to appreciate others. But what if you do something and nobody says ‘good job’?
• Now you can become disgruntled. Don’t they appreciate me? Why did nobody pat me on the back? Worse still, Did I do something wrong? Don’t they value me?

Illus – There is an interesting study that was done. They say most people are motivated more by appreciation and validation than money.

• People work as ‘unto men’ for validation. This is where the potential for the enemies trap comes in. He wants you to dig yourself into the hole of getting approval from man. This is very dangerous, because it also opens you up to manipulation.
• Do your work as unto God. Don’t look for appreciation and validation from people.
• Paul was saying this to the most unlikely people. Slaves. Servants. Many of them were doing something they hated for people they didn’t necessarily choose to want to serve, and on top of that, without getting paid!
• But Paul is not putting a heavy yoke on them. Instead, he is showing them the road to freedom! Do it for the Lord.
• Let your character, your attitude, your perspective be that of Christ and for Him. He is ultimately the one that rewards; in this life, or the next, or both. He is the one that validates and says, ‘well done, good and faithful servant.’
• If this is your perspective, you don’t need affirmation form man. It is nice, but you don’t need it.
• This is why the early apostles could joyfully keep proclaiming the good news of the gospel.
• If people accepted it, they were joyful and the house was blessed. If they didn’t, they would shake off the dust from their feet and move on.
• Their validation and worth were not determined by people’s perspective, but it was determined by their relationship and stance with God.
• And then lastly, he spoke to the masters. If you are in a position of authority, don’t let it go to your head. Lead with humility, knowing it is a gift and a responsibility that God has given you to lead and serve those under your authority.
• Understand that you are responsible and stand under God’s authority. God deposes kings and raises up others. How do you reflect honor and integrity also in the workplace with those under your authority?
• Verse 5 – We are encouraged to behave wisely, with discretion in relation to the outside world, making the most of the time and seizing every opportunity.
• When all is said and done, our lives are lived in perspective of eternity.
• When we live with the peace of God, the love of God, the direction of the Holy Spirit ruling our lives, we impact the world with hope, not only for this life, but for eternity.
• Jesus, come rule in our hearts with your grace, peace, your love.